New-to-me 1934 South Bend 405 Workshop

markd1124 said:

Hey all,

I recently picked up a 9" South Bend lathe after selling my useless Crafstman 109, the seller originally posted it as a model 9A, but after I purchased it and got it home, I looked up the serial number and found out it was a 1934/35 model 405. I was a little disappointed as I've come to learn the 405 is a bit of a bastard child. But I am excited to have such an old machine, there's just something about owning and using such a cool piece of American history that really makes me proud to have it.
The lathe didn't come with any change gears besides what was installed in it already, but it did come with a nice quick change tool post, a handful of bits and a sturdy home built table. For its age, its in good condition and runs true. For the work that I do, I'm not worried about not having the change gears as I don't think I'll be single point threading anything anytime soon. I picked it up for $400.

I'm not sure what my plans are for it yet, I'd like change all the oil wicks and clean it up as much as possible. Not sure I want to repaint it yet as I'm just going to get it dirty again anyway.



Does anyone know where I may be able to source new oil wicks for this machine? I found a kit for a 9A but I'm not sure if it'll work for this lathe.

I'll post more pics a little later, I don't have any photos of it all set up in my shop yet.

View attachment 303794

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SBLatheman said:

I believe that is a 415, not a 405
It has a reverse bracket and the tailstock is not open(from what I can tell from the photo)
Ted

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markd1124 said:

Nah the tailstock is open so you can get at the nut from either side, so its definitely a 405. I plan on taking some things apart to clean it up more this weekend being the wife is out of town and I finally have some free time on my hands.

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markd1124 said:

How can you tell the headstock isn't a 405? What gives it away?
I'll look at it later to figure out if the leadscrew is a left hand or right hand.

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SBLatheman said:

Your headstock has a reverse bracket, a 405 does not

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markd1124 said:

Hey all,

I recently picked up a 9" South Bend lathe after selling my useless Crafstman 109, the seller originally posted it as a model 9A, but after I purchased it and got it home, I looked up the serial number and found out it was a 1934/35 model 405. I was a little disappointed as I've come to learn the 405 is a bit of a bastard child. But I am excited to have such an old machine, there's just something about owning and using such a cool piece of American history that really makes me proud to have it.
The lathe didn't come with any change gears besides what was installed in it already, but it did come with a nice quick change tool post, a handful of bits and a sturdy home built table. For its age, its in good condition and runs true. For the work that I do, I'm not worried about not having the change gears as I don't think I'll be single point threading anything anytime soon. I picked it up for $400.

I'm not sure what my plans are for it yet, I'd like change all the oil wicks and clean it up as much as possible. Not sure I want to repaint it yet as I'm just going to get it dirty again anyway.

Does anyone know where I may be able to source new oil wicks for this machine? I found a kit for a 9A but I'm not sure if it'll work for this lathe.

I'll post more pics a little later, I don't have any photos of it all set up in my shop yet.

View attachment 303794

Click to expand...

markd1124 said:

How can you tell the headstock isn't a 405? What gives it away?
I'll look at it later to figure out if the leadscrew is a left hand or right hand.

Click to expand...